On the surface this seems somewhat laughable, an African anthropological/ethnological expedition into the darkest regions of ... the ALPS!?!? In Europe?!
"How can THEY study us?! The natural order of things is that WE study them", is what the average white viewer must think. But when the dust of the reverse joke settles, one sees that at times, this film makes very accurate observations about origins and deeper meaning of the habits of white people.
For example, the observation that the Alpine Beerfests are a continuation of Christianity in another form, may seem a hastily drawn conclusion, but the fact remains that there are Christian remnants in these fests.
Also the film gets more serious in tone, when a different value system is applied. The commentator makes the observation that Europeans express their culture through architecture and the written word, while Africans do not. This is such a basic of European values that they tend to miss cultural expressions in other cultures when they aren't 'true' architecture or literature. A classic case of judging others by one's own standards.
What is said about individuality among the "Eastern Alpine tribes" certainly is true and not that funny at all.
Some might see this film as the ultimate racist statement: Hey, look at this, it's black people playing the anthropologist with US, that's impossible, so it must a joke, right? On some level that might be right, however, one should take into account the light tone, and give the filmmakers the benefit of the doubt, and that their intentions were benign.
The tone of the commentator is sometimes condescending on purpose of course, a pure mirror to and exactly the same as it was used in the 60s or 70s by National Geographic documentaries about Ethiopia or Kenia.
All in all, a great film, not just a way to see your self through fictional other peoples eyes. Try to also to find the gems of true and accurate observation about European 'Western', lifestyle choices ...
"How can THEY study us?! The natural order of things is that WE study them", is what the average white viewer must think. But when the dust of the reverse joke settles, one sees that at times, this film makes very accurate observations about origins and deeper meaning of the habits of white people.
For example, the observation that the Alpine Beerfests are a continuation of Christianity in another form, may seem a hastily drawn conclusion, but the fact remains that there are Christian remnants in these fests.
Also the film gets more serious in tone, when a different value system is applied. The commentator makes the observation that Europeans express their culture through architecture and the written word, while Africans do not. This is such a basic of European values that they tend to miss cultural expressions in other cultures when they aren't 'true' architecture or literature. A classic case of judging others by one's own standards.
What is said about individuality among the "Eastern Alpine tribes" certainly is true and not that funny at all.
Some might see this film as the ultimate racist statement: Hey, look at this, it's black people playing the anthropologist with US, that's impossible, so it must a joke, right? On some level that might be right, however, one should take into account the light tone, and give the filmmakers the benefit of the doubt, and that their intentions were benign.
The tone of the commentator is sometimes condescending on purpose of course, a pure mirror to and exactly the same as it was used in the 60s or 70s by National Geographic documentaries about Ethiopia or Kenia.
All in all, a great film, not just a way to see your self through fictional other peoples eyes. Try to also to find the gems of true and accurate observation about European 'Western', lifestyle choices ...
